Computer enclosure with flat bezel

ABSTRACT

A computer enclosure includes a flat bezel defining a plurality of positioning holes and a plurality of openings, a chassis having a front panel, and a plurality of locking members. The front panel defines a recess for receiving the flat bezel therein. At least one optical disk drive, at least one floppy disk drive, at least one connector, and at least one power button are mounted to the chassis. The at least one optical disk drive, the at least one floppy disk drive, the at least one connector, and the at least one power button extend through the corresponding one of the openings of the flat bezel, thereby receiving the flat bezel in the recess. Then, the locking members extend through the positioning holes of the flat bezel respectively to mount the flat bezel on the on the chassis directly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer enclosure, and more particularly to a computer enclosure with an interchangeable computer bezel.

2. General Background

With the popularization of computers especially among young people, there is a growing need to provide attractive computer bezels. Many of those among the growing number of computer users would like to have an interchangeable computer bezel, so that they can alter the aesthetic appearance of their computer enclosure to suit their individual tastes.

A typical bezel of a computer enclosure is mounted on a front panel of a chassis. An optical disk drive cover, a power button, a connector, and other fittings, are all mounted on or in the computer bezel. In order to provide for the correct attachment and positioning of these components, the computer bezel generally has a complex configuration requiring numerous manufacturing processes. The cost of manufacturing the computer bezel is correspondingly high. In addition, a typical bezel of a computer enclosure generally cannot be replaced by other computer bezels. Consequently, the computer enclosure is lacking in aesthetic options. Recently, steps have been taken to introduce a computer enclosure with an interchangeable bezel into the market.

An example of a typical computer enclosure with an interchangeable bezel, referring to FIG. 4, includes a cage 300 and a bezel 100. The cage 300 includes a front plate 320 defining a plurality of locking openings 420 and locating holes 440, and a bottom plate 340 defining a pair of locking apertures 460. The bezel 100 has a plurality of engaging hooks 120 and a plurality of locating posts 140. The plurality of engaging hooks 120 engage with the front plate 320 in the corresponding locking openings 420, and the locating posts 140 are received in the corresponding locating holes 440. The bezel 100 also has a pair of arcuate supporting feet 160. Each supporting foot 160 includes a horizontal surface 180 abutting against a bottom surface of the bottom plate 340, and a catch 220 abutting against a top surface of the bottom plate 340 near the corresponding locking aperture 460. When the bezel 100 is attached to the cage 300, the supporting feet 160 are elastically deformed to cause the bezel 100 to be firmly attached to the front plate 320 of the cage 300. Similarly, the configuration of the bezel is complex, and the bezel requires numerous manufacturing processes. Therefore, the cost of manufacturing the bezel is correspondingly high.

What is needed, therefore, is a computer enclosure with a conveniently interchangeable computer bezel.

SUMMARY

A computer enclosure includes a flat bezel defining a plurality of positioning holes and a plurality of openings, a chassis having a front panel, and a plurality of locking members. The front panel defines a recess for receiving the flat bezel therein. At least one optical disk drive, at least one floppy disk drive, at least one connector, and at least one power button are mounted to the chassis. The at least one optical disk drive, the at least one floppy disk drive, the at least one connector, and the at least one power button extend through the corresponding one of the openings of the flat bezel, thereby receiving the flat bezel in the recess. Then, the locking members extend through the positioning holes of the flat bezel respectively to mount the flat bezel on the on the chassis directly.

Other advantages and novel features will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with the attached drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a computer enclosure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computer enclosure including a chassis, a computer bezel, and a plurality of screws;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the computer bezel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the computer enclosure of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded, isometric view of a typical computer enclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

An enclosure in accordance with a preferred embodiment generally applies to personal computers, mini personal computers, servers, and other similar devices.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an enclosure of an electronic device like a computer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a chassis 10, a computer bezel 20 and a plurality of locking members 30.

The chassis 10 is formed to have a front panel 11 at a front end thereof. The front panel 11 is stamped to form a rectangular recess 112 therein. A plurality of spaced-apart locking holes 114 is defined in the front panel 11 at peripheral portions of the recess 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking holes 114 are screw holes 114. A rectangular opening 116 is defined in the front panel 11 at an upper portion of the recess 112, for extension of at least one optical disk drive 12 therethrough. Another rectangular opening 118 is defined in the front panel 11 at the recess 122 below the rectangular opening 116, for extension of a floppy disk drive 13 therethrough. Two USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports 14 are mounted in the recess 112. Two sound card ports 15 are also mounted in the recess 112 below the USB ports 14. In an alternative example, the two USB ports 14 and the two sound card ports 15 can be constituted as a single connector. Two indicator lights 16 are mounted in the recess 112 below the sound card ports 15. A power button 17 is also mounted in the recess 112 below the indicator lights 16.

The computer bezel 20 is a flat plate made of metallic material (for example, Fe, Al, or an alloy thereof) or non-metallic material (for example, plastic, or glass material). The computer bezel 20 has no flange at its edge, thereby keeping the manufacturing process of the computer bezel 20 very simple and the manufacturing cost comparatively low. As illustrated, the computer bezel 20 can be mounted in the recess 112 of the front panel 11 of the chassis 10. Alternatively, the computer bezel 20 may be configured to cover the whole front panel 11 of the chassis 10, and may be mounted on the chassis 10 by the locking members 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking members 30 are screws. A plurality of spaced-apart positioning holes 21 is defined in peripheral portions of the computer bezel 20. A rectangular opening 22 is defined in an upper portion of the computer bezel 20, for extension of the optical disk drive 12 therethrough. Another rectangular opening 23 is defined in the computer bezel 20 below the rectangular opening 22, for extension of the floppy disk drive 13 therethrough. A rectangular hole 24 is defined in the computer bezel 20 at the right side of the opening 23, for extension of the two USB ports 14 therethrough. Two circular holes 25 are also defined in the computer bezel 20 below the rectangular hole 24. The two circular holes 25 are for extension of the sound card ports 15 therethrough. Two through holes 26 are defined in the computer bezel 20 below the circular holes 25, for extension of the indicator lights 16 therethrough. A rectangular opening 27 is defined in the computer bezel 20 below the through holes 26, for extension of the power button 17 therethrough. A plurality of heat dissipating holes 28 is defined in a lower portion of the computer bezel 20. The heat dissipating holes 28 can be arranged to form a variety of special aesthetic patterns (for example, a pattern of flowers, a pattern of animals, and so on). Furthermore, a special aesthetic pattern can be embossed or engraved on the lower portion of the computer bezel 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, in attachment of the computer bezel 20 to the chassis 10, the openings 22, 23, 27 and the holes 21, 24, 25, 26, 28 of the computer bezel 20 are aligned with the corresponding fittings mounted in the chassis 10. The computer bezel 20 is fitted into the recess 112 of the front panel 11. The locking members 30 are extended through the positioning holes 21 of the computer bezel 20, and engaged in the screw holes 114 of the front panel 10. Thus, the computer bezel 20 is securely mounted to the chassis 10.

In detachment of the computer bezel 20 from the chassis 10, all the locking members 30 are removed, and the computer bezel 20 is lifted out from the recess 112 of the chassis 10. Thus the computer bezel 20 may be readily replaced with another one.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of preferred embodiments thereof, and while the preferred embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. 

1. A computer enclosure comprising: a chassis defining a recess at a side thereof; and a bezel bearing an identifiably decorative surface thereon, and completely receivable in said recess of said chassis so as to expose said decorative surface of said bezel outside said enclosure along said side of said chassis.
 2. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 1, wherein said bezel defines a plurality of positioning holes therein so as to allow a plurality of corresponding locking members installed therein to mount said bezel onto said chassis.
 3. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 1, wherein said bezel defines an opening for extension of at least one optical disk drive therethrough.
 4. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 1, wherein said bezel defines an opening for extension of at least one floppy disk drive therethrough.
 5. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 1, wherein said bezel defines an opening for extension of at least one connector therethrough.
 6. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 1, wherein said bezel defines an opening for extension of at least one power button therethrough.
 7. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 1, wherein said bezel defines a plurality of heat dissipating holes.
 8. A computer enclosure comprising: a chassis; and a flat computer bezel attached to a side of the chassis for covering the side of the chassis.
 9. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer bezel is formed as a flat plate.
 10. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 9, wherein the computer bezel defines a plurality of positioning holes for extension of a plurality of corresponding locking members therethrough to fix the computer bezel to the chassis the locking members.
 11. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer bezel defines an opening for extension of at least one optical disk drive therethrough.
 12. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer bezel defines an opening for extension of at least one floppy disk drive therethrough.
 13. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer bezel defines an opening for extension of at least one connector therethrough.
 14. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer bezel defines an opening for extension of at least one power button therethrough.
 15. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer bezel defines a plurality of heat dissipating holes.
 16. An electronic device comprising: a chassis of said electronic device defining an identifiable outline along a side thereof; and a bezel bearing an identifiably decorative surface thereon and installable in said chassis from said side of said chassis so as to expose said surface to an outside of said electronic device, and said surface of said bezel being flush with said outline along said side of said chassis.
 17. The electronic device as recited in claim 16, wherein said chassis defines a recess at said side thereof to receive said bezel therein.
 18. The electronic device as recited in claim 16, wherein said bezel is made as a flat plate. 